5 washed away in flood water in Purnia

Purnia, Aug 20 (UNI) At least five people died in the flood waters of the swollen rivers of Mahananda, Kankai and Parma in this district, official sources said here today.

Five blocks- Baisa, Amaur, Baisi, Agarua and Rupauli in the district were severely affected as the flood water inundated the villages washing away five people.

The flood water also damaged standing crops in the area.

Road links and other means of communication of the affected villages were totally snapped with the district headquarters, sourcs added.

Altogether 52 gates on river Kosi were opened in Bhimnagar to minimise the water pressure on its eastern embankment, the chief engineer of the flood control division informed.

Meanwhile, the district administration ordered closure of all private and government schools till situation normalises in the flood-affected areas.

Flood control officer Bhupindra Kumar Singh told newspersons here that the administration was prepared to handle the situation.

The Block Development Officers and the Sub-Divisional Officers had been put on high alert and the people living in the low lying areas were advised to move at safer places, he added.

Jalil Mastan, MLA from Amaur assembly segment, alleged that people in the district were forced to face the worst ever flood conditions only because of the government's short-sightedness and callousness.